§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport—for what reasons his Department has not implemented the Football Stadia Advisory Design Committee's recommendations concerning wheelchair spaces by(a) providing a definition of large stadia and (b) prescribing a formula in respect of the proportion of wheelchair spaces. [6967]
§ Mr. Banks[holding answer 9 July 1997]: The Football Stadia Advisory Design Committee's advice on wheelchair spaces was set out in their document "Designing for Spectators with Disabilities" which was published in 1992. The advice in the new Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds represents current good practice within sports ground safety but now defines what constitutes a large stadium and provides guidance on how many wheelchair spaces should be provided at sports grounds. This followed many lengthy arguments over the number of wheelchair places to be provided at major new 113W developments. The guidance should help ensure that adequate wheelchair access is provided at new stadia, and my Department will continue to monitor the situation.